Full Breakdown
Engineer Fired Over Excessive Bathroom Breaks in Jiangsu, China
12/14/2025, 10:51:45 PM
Overview of the Incident
An engineer, surnamed Li, from Jiangsu province, China, was terminated from his position for taking excessive bathroom breaks, with the longest recorded break lasting four hours. This incident occurred between April and May 2024 and has garnered attention following Li's subsequent legal action against his employer for what he claims was an illegal termination of his employment contract.
Legal Proceedings and Claims
Li, who had been with the company since 2010 and renewed his open-ended contract in 2014, filed a lawsuit seeking 320,000 yuan (approximately US$45,000) in compensation. He argued that his prolonged bathroom visits were due to a medical condition—specifically, haemorrhoids. In court, he presented evidence including records of haemorrhoid medication purchased by his partner and inpatient surgery documents from January 2025.
The company countered Li's claims by providing surveillance footage that documented his frequent and lengthy absences from his workstation. According to company policy, employees are required to remain on standby and respond promptly to work-related communications. When Li's supervisors attempted to contact him via a chat application during his absences, he did not respond.
Court's Findings
The court ultimately sided with the company, determining that Li's bathroom breaks "greatly exceeded" what would be considered normal. The court noted that the medical documentation Li provided did not cover the majority of the bathroom visits in question and highlighted that he had not informed the company of his medical condition or requested sick leave as stipulated in his employment contract. The contract specified that unauthorized absences could lead to termination if an employee accumulated three days of absence within a 180-day period.
Settlement Outcome
After two rounds of hearings, the court mediated between Li and the company, leading to a settlement. The employer agreed to pay Li an allowance of 30,000 yuan (approximately US$4,200) in recognition of his long service and the challenges posed by his job loss, despite the court's ruling favoring the company.
Criticism & Opposition
Some observers have raised concerns about the implications of this case for employee rights in China, particularly regarding the balance between workplace policies and individual health needs. Critics argue that the company's actions may discourage employees from disclosing medical conditions due to fear of termination.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The court observed that the time Li spent in the bathroom had “greatly exceeded” what would normally be required for physical needs.” — Court Statement
- “If I successfully fought against the disease and realised my dream of cycling to China, other people can turn their dream into a reality.” — Killian Le Guyader, French Cyclist
This case highlights the complexities of labor rights in China, where employee health issues must be weighed against company policies and operational requirements.
